Amino AcidsWilliam F. ColemanThe Featured Molecules this month are the 20 standard alpha-amino acids found in proteins. The molecules are presented in two formats, the neutral form and the ionized form found in solution at physiologic pH.Coleman, William F. J. Chem. Educ.2006, 83, 1103.

Amino Acids |

Proteins / Peptides |

Molecular Properties / Structure |

Molecular Modeling |

Molecular Mechanics / Dynamics

Glycosyltransferases A and B: Four Critical Amino Acids Determine Blood TypeNatisha L. Rose, Monica M. Palcic, and Stephen V. EvansHuman A, B, and O blood type is determined by the presence or absence of distinct carbohydrate structures on red blood cells. In this review the chemistry of the blood group ABO system and the role of glycosyltransferase A, glycosyltransferase B, and the four amino acids critical to determining blood group status are discussed. Rose, Natisha L.; Palcic, Monica M.; Evans, Stephen V. J. Chem. Educ.2005, 82, 1846.

Carbohydrates |

Enzymes |

Kinetics |

Bioorganic Chemistry |

Crystals / Crystallography |

Molecular Biology |

X-ray Crystallography |

Amino Acids

Cotton Effect in Copper–Proline Complexes in the Visible RegionVictor Volkov and Rolf PfisterThis article suggests taking advantage of the visible dd electronic transition of Cu2+, which allows one to contrast the normal optical rotatory dispersion response of d- and l-proline in aqueous solution with the strong Cotton effect observed when these amino acids are complexed with a metal cation.Volkov, Victor; Pfister, Rolf. J. Chem. Educ.2005, 82, 1663.

Inclass interactive worksheets for organic chemistryOstercamp, Daryl L.The author has designed two in-class worksheets for use near the end of a two semester organic chemistry course, one dealing with mono- and disaccharides and the second dealing with alpha-amino acids and dipeptides.Ostercamp, Daryl L. J. Chem. Educ.1992, 69, 318.

Amino acid sequence diversity in proteinsBlackman, DavidThe number of unique proteins that can be generated from a small number of amino acids is truly enormous.Blackman, David J. Chem. Educ.1977, 54, 170.

Proteins / Peptides |

Amino Acids

Photooxidation of methionine. An integrated organic-analytical-biochemistry laboratory experimentLewis, Catherine; Scouten, William H.The experiments presented here familiarize the student with the organic reactions necessary to prepare the starting material; introduces the use of glass beads for immobilizing a catalyst; demonstrates the use of light and methylene blue as oxidizers; requires the implementation of an important analytical technique, thin layer chromatography; provides the student with a good example of the reactivity of one amino acid, methionine.Lewis, Catherine; Scouten, William H. J. Chem. Educ.1976, 53, 395.

Potentialities of protein isomerismAsimov, IsaacThe permutations generated by structural isomerism in proteins could be demonstrated more convincingly and realistically if the amino acid compositions of actual proteins were taken into consideration.Asimov, Isaac J. Chem. Educ.1954, 31, 125.

Proteins / Peptides |

Molecular Properties / Structure |

Amino Acids |

Constitutional Isomers

Teaching amino acid formulationPatton, A. R.Presents a device that aids in explaining the concept of dipolar ions necessary to an understanding of the behavior of amino acids and proteins.Patton, A. R. J. Chem. Educ.1951, 28, 471.